The main difference of Valis III to the previous games in the Valis series is that the player is now in control of multiple characters that can be switched at any time - which is highly reminiscent of , each of them using different upgradable weapons and spells. The characters cannot be switched during the boss fights, where the choice of the character also results in a different cutscene, and in some stages. Another feature new to the series is a ground slide move which can double as an attack. The game's port for the Mega Drive/Genesis has most of the cinematic cutscenes cut. Several levels were removed and a new one was added to this version, while the remaining levels are more similar to each other. However, boss fights were improved.
Plot
King Glames leads denizens of the Dark World to conquer both Earth and Vecanti. He seeks a home for his people before the destruction of his planet. Against this common foe, Yuko Asou finds help in her new girlfriends, a Dark World warrior-maiden named Cham, who was a demon born in the Dark World and uses a deadly whip, and her own sister Valna Asou, who grew up within Vecanti and became strong in the ways of magic. Furthermore, the Valis sword is shown to be capable of more than what Yuko has accomplished with it thus far. During the course of the game, Yuko rescues the kidnapped Cham and Valna from captivity. A visit to the ruler of Vecanti, Nizetti, unleashes the blade's full potential, which culminates in a climactic battle between the three girls and Glames as well the returning antagonist from the first game, Rogmes. The Valis warrior defeats them both, and for her dutiful and unwavering service, Yuko is permitted to step down from being a guardian and become a goddess in Vecanti, leaving Earth behind forever. The Valis sword retires to the heavens as well, as the dream world prepares itself for prosperity, while Cham and Valna wave good-bye to Yuko as she departs to take on her new role.
Release
Originally developed and published by Telenet Japan for the PC Engine CD-ROM² in 1990 in Japan, Valis III was later released for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1991 in Japan by Sega and North America by Renovation Products, and for the TurboGrafx-CD by Turbo Technologies in North America in 1992. Ubisoft contemplated publishing the game in Europe, but nothing came of it. Project EGG released the PC Engine version for Windows in 2007, along with the Complete Plus compilation that came with a soundtrack CD and a figure. A 1993 CD Valis Visual Collection contains all the cutscenes from the PC Engine version.
Reception
Valis III was very well received by video game critics. Its original version for the PC Engine CD was rated an 8/10 by Turboplay, and was also scored 87%, 94%, and 90% by French magazines Génération 4, Joystick, and Player One, respectively. According to Sam Derboo from Hardcore Gaming 101, "at the time of its release, Valis III was by far the most versatile, fun and best-looking game in the series." Damian Butt from Sega Pro gave the Mega Drive/Genesis port, previously described by the magazine as "amazing", a review score of 79%, opining it "lacks the edge-of-the-seat gameplay that made El Viento the winner." French magazines Génération 4, Joystick, and Tilt rated it 85%, 80%, and 70%, while RAZE scored the game an 85%. Retrospectively, Robert Menes from Sega-16 awarded it 8 stars out of 10, stating that "although a bit of an obscure game, Valis III deserves at least one playthrough from any respectable Genesis owner," while IGN's Levi Buchanan reviewed it for a "Good" score of 7.5/10, writing this "strange Genesis side-scroller deserves revisiting," as "it looks great, has some nice music, and will give you plenty of challenge for your cash."
